Monitors at Risk

I, too, have doubts, but not about courageous Barbara Bocek, the human rights worker monitoring Guatemala who was attacked in Washington State in March.

For those of us working against Central American death squads, it is well known that our government works closely with such human rights violators, and allows them to enter the United States.

This has resulted in acts of terror against people living here. My American lawyer's car was firebombed, my home was shot at, the F.B.I. arrived on my doorstep to warn that the Guatemalan Army was hiring a hit man to kill me, and a key witness has been stalked. The F.B.I. received ample information, but nothing was done.

There have been similar actions taken against refugees here. Ms. Bocek's story is credible. Why is she attacked instead of protected?

We should be tough on all terrorists, even those in bed with the C.I.A.